University of Portland Top Questions

As a sophomore in college, I would tell my high school self to enjoy every moment of college; to be emotionally and physically present everyday. I would say to embrace your experiences because the next four years are going to change you whether you're ready or not. She has to know that at this point, she’d have to be more independent, completely mindful of herself, and understand her own physical and mental health. Furthermore, I would say to her that academics are important, but they’re not everything. My high school self has to know that failing is a crucial part of life. Lastly, everyone has their own experiences and she doesn't have to follow anyone else’s path. She doesn’t have to be who some else tells her to be, but be able to embrace that fact that she is a unique person who has something to offer the world if she just puts her mind to it. Ultimately, the only person that gets in the way of her dreams is herself: she is her own true enemy. She can get to where she wants to be if she only lets herself experience things.

As I said already, I would tell my self to be more organized.The only other thing that I would tell myself is to use the resources that were made available to me more efficiently. This would allow me to achieve higher marks in my classes, and I would have an even better understanding of the subject material that I had studied.

Honestly, it would probably start as a pretty light-hearted conversation. The first thing I would say would be, "Kerrie, now I know everyone tells you that it rains a lot in Portland, and you think you've accepted that fact. However, you must know that that rain will also be very cold, and at some point it will snow." I would follow up with more important aspects though. I would tell myself that making friends will be the least of my worries, and it'll be even harder to say goodbye at the end of the year than it was to meet them in the first place. I would say that the teachers are not nearly as scary as I think they are, not in the slightest, and it's imperative that I work with them during office hours so that I don't fall behind. It's important to call mom and dad because I will miss them. Homework is also important, but studying and knowing the material is even more so. Remember to have fun, but remember that whatever you accumulate throughout the year will have to, somehow, be packed up at the end of it all.

If I could give my high school self some college advice, I would start off by saying that this is the time to realize that the small things in high school that were important may not be so important anymore. Going into college will allow you to gain a first hand experience at what is most important for the rest of one's life as an adult and a student at a higher level of education. With the obvious increase in scholarly expectations aside, making the transition into college life will allow you to truly see who you are as a person at large. You must allow yourself to adapt with changes and transform as the surroundings transform, find your passions, and strive to learn what kind of person you are. Don't try to change in order to fit in, but allow the positive natural changes to happen then observe where it will take you, because most likely, there are others that are similar in character, personality, and spirituality. You must also realize that you cannot please everybody, but an honest effort goes a long way. And finally, maintain a healthy support group with your peers and mentors.

The biggest peice of advice I needed to hear about making the transition to college life was that even if you aren't ready to leave home, once you get to college you will fell ready! I was honestly really scared and anxious about going to college but it has been the best two years of my life. Every day I find myself excited to go to class and learn about science from my even more enthusastic proffessors. I also would give the advice to take grasp every opportunity the University offers. Currently I am studying abroad in Fremantle Australia for the semester with two weeks of pre- traveling through New Zealand. I feel like I have been on vacation for 4 months! Through this expierence I have made friends and memories that I will cherish through my whole life. Though at time college can be incredibily challenging I would not change any moment of it. As I high schooler I needed to know that I was about to have the biggest adventure of my life. I would tell myselft to take a deep breath, smile and be excited for what the future holds!

If I could go back in time, I would strongly advice myself to always remember why I have worked so hard throughout my educational career. Once you're in college it is surprisingly easy to mix up your priorities and lose motivation. School is going to be difficult and sometimes it is going to seem like you don't belong at Univeristy of Portland but YOU DO, just as much as anyone. Don't be afraid to try new things and let yourself change-don't be scared- it's all part of the process. Just ask yourself why you are changing in order to double check that you are doing it for yourself. I don't need to advice you to try your hardest because you will no matter what. However, it is okay to not get an A. As long as you know you tried your best. You will go through a roller coaster of emotions, embrace them and keep going. Many of the people you meet will be the best people you have ever met and this will be your UP family. There are amazing and beautiful people here. You are never alone, I love you.

I would tell myself to not be stressed about not understanding tomorrow and the future. The crazy thing about college and transitions in life is that between high school to college is that transitions are constant and the road is never really clear. And yet, things make sense in their own time if you're active and true to your self. It's been researched that people become ultimatly more successful in their career once they've identified who they think they are. Their career choices change with their perceptions of who they are. I struggle with this concept daily because all I want to do is plan, plan, plan. My high school self was no different. I would advise myself to take each day with hope and peace. With a clear mind self-reflection is made easier and then the path to take will reveal itself through life's natural way. I would remind myself that hard work pays off, but working towards the idea of "work" will never prove more beneficial. Working towards the idea of "who you are and who you want to be," is so much more a rewarding experience now and for the future.

Hey, you! So you're starting college, huh? I know it's intimidating--you've a bit socially awkward, and it's all very new--but you don't need to be nervous! College is wonderful: you gain independence, knowledge, experience, and freinds. It's all about finding balance. You'll be fine, but here are some pointers: Make friends early--like orientation weekend early. Everyone wants to make friends, so get out of your shell and say hello! That super cute dress that's $56... it's not necessary. Save your money for going out with those friends you just made. Speaking of going out: find balance between studies and socializing. You're there to learn, but it's important to have fun too! Supplement that learning by getting involved in all kinds of campus activities. It's a great way to get experience and connections. Experience is important for after college, so seize any opportunity that moves you toward your goal. College is a tricky transition, trust me I know. But by finding balance, you'll get education, friendship, and happiness all on one campus. When you get there, remember: it's about the journey and the destination!

In a way, going to college is like going back to elementary school. Yes, college is a large transition, and it's scary. But there are so many people out there who want to help you, all you have to do is ask. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and to reach out to others. College turns us into our kindergarden selves again because there is so much free time, a constant state of recess and snack time. Learn how to balance that time and try and limit the Netflix time. When it comes to your major, it's ok to explore different interests, but don't stray too far from your strengths. While GPA isn't as important as it was in high school, you want to take classes that you are inclined to work hard in, and therefore recieve a higher grade. The most important bit of advice I would give is just don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to try new things. Don't be afraid to relax and enjoy your time. And don't be afraind to build new friendships and relationships with the teaching staff! Don't be afraid.

Where you go is overrated. All too often, I think that the emphasis of the college admission process is too heavily burdened on the act of choosing the one single ‘correct’ college, rather than what you do once you’re there. For me, the decision was strenuous because I was split between too many universities. Realistically, it shouldn’t have been as difficult because I was able to quickly narrow my initial list of schools to about five and then two based on characteristics that turned me off throughout my visits. However, once I was down to the final two choices, decision paralysis petrified me. I look back and realize that the schools were not so different from each other. One had a slightly more urban location, while the other had a better system of extracurriculars. Would I be an entirely different person had I not chosen University of Portland? I would have different friends, different address, and different scenery everyday, but I know that I would still be striving for the same grades, for the same quality of friends, and for the same career. Where you go isn’t as important as what you do once you’re there.